EURO 2012, Day 9 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 17, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

We watched two really tight games, with all four teams keeping chances to go through ahead of the first whistle.

Greece - Russia Highlights @ uefa.com

Watch EURO 2012 Greece – Russia Highlights @ uefa.com

Greece 1-0 Russia, The spirit of Marathon

Greece – what a fighting spirit! Like at the Battle of Marathon, only 25 centuries later, against all odds, they defied the “new Persians”, aka the Russians, and went through.

Be fair – you ruled Greece out!, ahead of this last game. So did I! Although I saw them through before the tournament began, here, I stopped beveling they would go out of the group after their first two games. Greece proved all of us again that it’s not about being the best…it’s about scoring! Outplayed, but not beaten. With all the domination from Russia, I would say that the biggest chances still came from Greece, not Russia, hitting the post and having a penalty not given. A stark reminder of recent games played by Inter Milan or Chelsea – you have to score when you have an opportunity.

Could they sneak to the title again? Never say never! I don’t think it will happen, but what an upset would it be if they did it again!

Russia – what a sad story! – a team that showed us a beautiful free flowing play, will go home. A brilliant start – that great win against Czech Republic – could not save the horrifying finish. They failed to create in front of very crowded and disciplined Greece, and when they did indeed create, they wasted their chances way too easily. Once more, in this competition you pay for misfiring!

Czech Republic 1-0 Poland, Relentless work pays off

Poland started the game on fire but died out way too quickly. After the first 25 minutes they looked like they run out of gas and let the Czechs take the initiative. I did see them from the beginning finishing bottom of the group, here: EURO 2012, Group A Forecast by the Soccer Crusader

The Czech Republic have not been my favorites to go out of the group, let alone winning it, especially after the trashing at the hands of the Russians. But they did it, working relentlessly, with a style reminding us of the German machine. Speaking of it, they may have the chance to meet the real “German Machine”, if they go one better.

And, with this, the Group A is completed.

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EURO 2012, Day 5 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 13, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Greece 1-2 Czech Republic, , Unfulfilled Promises

Czech Republic knew it needs points to stay in contention. And they outplayed Greece for the first half, but found themselves under pressure for most of the second half. They showed potential, changing things from the previous game with Russia, but also showed a lot of weaknesses. On the other side, Greece let everyone with the feeling that they could do more, and, although were the better side in the second half, they never came through.

Poland 1- 1 Russia, A pact with the Devil

For all the rivalry between them it’s amazing that their game ended in a draw. The game itself could have gone both ways. With one point each, everyone may be happy. Russia still commends the group, Poland still keeps chances.

Both games were entertaining – they get better and better as we get closer to the end of the groups stage.

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